A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, killing thousands of citizens and ravaging infrastructure. The death toll currently sits above 3,700, but will likely increase as searches continue. Over 5,000 people have been injured and 54 million people are estimated to be affected.
Additionally, as the U.S. continues to cut humanitarian aid in the dismantlement of USAID, Myanmar will only receive a sum of $9 million, over $100 million less than the amount the U.S. sent to Turkey and Syria when earthquakes struck in 2023. While USAID had originally sent workers to help Myanmar following the earthquake, they have since been fired as a result of the Trump administration’s controversial changes to government spending. Since then, Myanmar has turned to other countries for aid, including China, Russia, and India.
The earthquake took place in the midst of a violent civil war between Myanmar’s pro-democracy forces and a military junta led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. The war began in 2021, when Hlaing and his junta organized a coup that overthrew Prime Minister Aung San Suu Kyi. A ceasefire was declared until April 22 as a result of the earthquake, but the junta actively continue their military operations with over 120 attacks since. Sources from inside Myanmar have stated that airstrikes and ground assaults have continued in key areas.
The 4-year ongoing conflict has destroyed Myanmar’s infrastructure and contributed to economic and food insecurity. Additionally, the foreign aid process has proven difficult, as agencies that do send aid can only do so through the Myanmar military. The military will only accept aid toward areas they control, so many citizens are left stranded without help. The military has also been noted to extort and attack humanitarian workers, with reports stating that the junta soldiers opened fire on volunteers of China’s Red Cross Society.
Calls to release the former pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi are now louder than ever. Suu Kyi, who was arrested in 2021 and now remains under house arrest, is believed to be a key proponent of rebuilding Myanmar’s infrastructure following the earthquake if and when the military coup is overthrown. As Myanmar continues to endure its 27-year sentence, the country is plagued by violence and hardship.
As Myanmar continues to face political hardships marked with violence and ecological disasters, the pressure to deliver aid to the country increases. Youth-led groups and community opposition forces continue to battle with the junta, and citizens struggle to rebuild their lost homes. Myanmar’s people remain hopeful for a future of security and an end to both the four-year civil strife and effects of the earthquake.